navy anchored table

this was one of my first projects and still one of my favorites. it's also the piece that my boyfriend likes to show off the most whenever we have new guests over. it makes me happy:) anyway, i bought the table from the thrift store (a place I go very often...it's only two blocks away...and it's a good one). i believe it was $6.99. i'd call that a steal for furniture in thrift stores these days. it was the perfect size to fill the awkward space between our couch and leather chair in the living room. we have a coffee table, but we just needed something extra on the side to fill space, put a vase of flowers and rest a good old cup of jo. simply painting the table seemed a tad boooring...so i decided to make my own stencil...similar to the chalkboard. here's a play by play of how i did it:

1. the before

2. i gave the table a couple coats of paint (i used a house paint that has the primer and color in one)
    make sure to flip it around to coat all the cracks and corners

3. i made the most simple. stencil. ever. i sketched out an anchor by hand, but for those who are shy about drawing you could always print something off your computer. the paper i used was from my sketchbook- so probably a little heavier than your standard letter paper...but i'm sure the standard paper would also do the trick. i used a craft knife to cut our the shape and voila...a stencil! just remember that if you have innards... like the ring at the top of the anchor...make sure you keep it somehow fastened to the outtards...that way you don't lose the shape!

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 4. tape down your stencil and start painting. be gentle...i use the dabbing technique with a sponge brush...and help hold down the stencil with your fingers. it can be messy, but this technique lets you get away with using a homemade and FREE stencil.

 5. and the after. YAY! the framing around the anchor was super simple, but does require a lot of measuring. i just used a painter's tape and painted in between. again, be gentle with the paint to keep the edges as clean as possible.

 6. and there she is...in her little corner next to the couch and chair...just bridging the gap!